Introduction

WEEKEND INTRODUCTION

Proverbs 3:5–6 ESV

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

TRUST determines the path we take and the future we experience. TRUSTING is often secondary thinking in our life and these times are when there is no major outcome. There are moments when our TRUST is deeply tested. We trust our car to start. We trust our fridge to keep cool. We trust the red light to safely direct traffic. These are easy times of trusting that we don’t deeply think about.

We may struggle to trust that someone will accomplish their work/school assignment. We may struggle to trust certain drivers on the road. We may struggle to trust if someone if they are going to return our text or phone call.

TRUSTING takes place in our secondary parts of life and in our primary parts of life. TRUSTING is a part of our entire life! Most importantly, TRUSTING is a part of our spiritual walk.

We will primarily study in the Book of Proverbs this week. As you study, it will be helpful to understand the wider view of proverbs.

The first 9 chapters is a unique section of Proverbs that contains speeches of a father to a son. There are two main ideas that the author focuses on: WISDOM and the FEAR OF THE LORD. Through the nine chapters, readers can see the two paths

(WISDOM & the FEAR OF THE LORD — — FOLLY & EVIL)

(VIRTUE & INTEGRITY — — SELFISHNESS & PRIDE)

(SUCCESS & PEACE — — RUIN & SHAME)

These speeches clue us in to what biblical wisdom literature is and how it’s different from other parts of the Bible. While it does explore how to live well in God’s world, wisdom is neither law nor prophecy. Rather, wisdom is the accumulated insight of God’s people through the generations. It is all about how to live in a way that honors God and others. Through the book of Proverbs, these human words about wisdom have become God’s word and wisdom to his people.

This book doesn’t simply offer good advice. It is an invitation from God to learn human and divine wisdom from previous generations of God’s people.

Proverbs 3:5–6 ESV

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

During this weekend, you and your students have the opportunity to see and experience what it takes to TRUST the Lord. Proverbs 3:5-6 shares three major parts to TRUSTING the Lord.

TRUSTING THE LORD… [T] [N] [T]

Takes Your Everything (with all you heart) vs 5

Nothing of the World (and do not lean on your own understanding) vs 5

Transforms our Destination (acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight) vs 6

Before your prepare to teach the material, ask God to speak to your heart first. When we allow God to work in our hearts first, we are capable to teach and share from the overflow of Jesus in our life.

NERD MOMENT — this is Solomon’s inspiration fpr Proverbs 3:5-6 (1 Chronicles 28:9–10 “9 “And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever. 10 Be careful now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong and do it.”” )

LEADER TIPS:

No one answer questions? Ask the same thing in different ways.

Establish the first night silent moments are only awkward if you make it awkward. It’s in the silent moments where we can deeply think and meditate.